# NTSB GAA17CA427: Let L23, N342BA, Deatsville, AL, July 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2017, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Deatsville, AL - Coordinates: 32.512779, -86.399719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5128&lon=-86.3997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA427 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95635/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95635 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA427 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees and power lines while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: thermal lifting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1360308), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The Chief of Safety for the operator reported that the student pilot was on a solo flight in a glider and on the return leg to the airport when he noticed that he "seemed to be sinking quickly." While talking with his instructor over the radio and scanning for an open field, he decided to land on a street in a nearby neighborhood. While on approach, the glider struck tree tops and then a power line. Subsequently, the glider rolled to the right and the right wing struck the ground. The glider came to rest on the right side of the fuselage and the student pilot exited the glider. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The Chief of Safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 8 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind calm, temperature 91°F, dew point 75°F, and altimeter setting 30.04 inches of mercury. ## Factual narrative The Chief of Safety for the operator reported that, the student pilot was on a solo flight, and on the return leg to the airport, the student pilot noticed that he "seemed to be sinking quickly." While talking with his instructor over the radio and scanning for an open field, he decided to land on a street in a nearby neighborhood. While on approach, the glider struck tree tops and then a powerline. Subsequently, the glider rolled to the right and the right wing struck the ground. The glider came to rest on the right side of the fuselage and the student pilot exited the glider. The glider sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The Chief of Safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 8 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind calm, temperature 91°F, dew point 75°F, and barometric 30.04" Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N342BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N342BA-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 998418, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LET L23 (Super Blan) - Registry model: [Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK](https://openairdocs.org/model/let-l-23-super-blanik) (registry code 1360308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 998418 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 1008 - Engines: none - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2017 - Departed: 08A, Deatsville, AL - Destination: 08A, Deatsville, AL - Airport: 08A, Wetumpka Muni - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 16; injuries: minor; student; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 21 total, 20 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMXF, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20170721009139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170721009139A), Jul 21, 2017: Let L-23 SUPER BLANIK, Deatsville, AL, Substantial damage. A 16 year old student pilot departed Wetumpka Airport on his second solo flight of the day and third total flight of the day, in a blanik glider owned by civil… ## Other investigations on N342BA (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ERA14LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA341), Jul 14, 2014: Let L 23 Super Blanik (N342BA), Warm Springs, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the flight instructor to move his glider from an active runway in accordance with procedures due to his distraction by having a conversation with the air boss, which resulted in the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95635. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456186&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.